We Need Each Other to Finish Strong

I was (emphasis on “was”) a half-marathon runner up until a couple of years ago when my knees starting singing songs of “gloom, despair and agony on me”. I knew I needed to hang up my running shoes and put on my walking shoes. I remember the many hours and days of training and preparing for the impending marathon events. That training, combined with friends and family support, would assure me of a strong finish.

I think about all of us in these formidable times. While I am in a cozy, safe place here in my little home all to myself, I am well aware of the moms and dads working from home and/or homeschooling their children, which is an unprepared-for-way-of-life. A young single mom I know is having to confront all this by herself – with four young children. And I think about those who are struggling with enough finances to sustain their families throughout this time of job loss. And I think about all the healthcare workers and the essential services workers who are being stretched to the nth degree. And so many others whose lives have been turned upside down. They must feel like they are in a no-ending marathon because what was days has turned into weeks and maybe even months.

I’m convinced this race we’re in won’t last forever. The end may not be in sight just yet, but it is, without doubt, up ahead. I remember how long my marathons seemed. One mile completed, then two miles, then three...... The energy at the beginning was being depleted as I ran. But a bright light shined for me when, at strategic locations, my family would be standing on a corner, holding up signs and cheering me on “Go Nana! Go Mom! You can do this! You’ve got this!” It was just what I needed to help me finish strong. It seemed there was no end in sight, but I would round a corner and up ahead I could hear the crowd cheering, the announcer declaring the names of those crossing the finish line, and I just knew I could make it and hear my name being announced. Hurting, exhausted, and worn-out as I was – I crossed that finish line. How sweet the victory was for me AND for those cheering me on.

What can we do to be those cheerleaders who push and pull us through these times? My daughter-in-love sent me lots of videos and photos of what they’re doing during these times. It made me tear up – with happy tears – to see them making the most of their isolation. We can do the same thing. We can hold up encouragement signs via drive-bys or social media, texting, making phone calls. We can assure others that we are REALLY praying for them. Maybe even offering financial support for those who are at the end of their resources. Those small acts help them know their value and worth to us.

And to all of you – all of us – who are in this “season” of so many unknowns, we are not without hope. A new day is on the horizon – maybe we can’t see the end yet, but it will be seen sooner or later. That’s what this daily blog is all about. To be a cheerleader to you – no matter what you’re facing today. To be a megaphone for God shouting out to you: “You are God's beloved child and you are worthy of being encouraged and supported as you continue to run this race. Live strong during these times with knowing that God is with you, cheering you on to your Finish Line. Run strong. Finish strong. And, pass it along!

“Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings.” Galatians 6:2

When You See Someone’s Reality and It Jolts You

That moment when you offer a picture of your life so that others on social media might be able to grasp your reality? I know there are those who do that because they need prayer support, encouragement, and some motivation to keep on carrying on. No question, we all need encouragers. Oftentimes, when we think no one else has an idea what we're going through, God shows us someone else’s reality that is painstakingly worse than ours. It gives us pause and a reality check that others might also need our encouragement and support.

I saw a post by a precious mom, who really has had her hands and heart full for a very long time in the care of her 10-year old, very sick child who is still in diapers. Her post included an image of a huge stack of diapers. The post read: “Dear Jesus, I’m really tired of changing diapers. Love a very tired Momma."

Then, I saw comments: “I have 5 kiddos and "J" is still in them too. We should be diaper ambassadors.” Another mom said: “I honestly can’t imagine how many I have changed. Andrew is 15 and 2 other boys and now Kinsley, the past 2 years along, with Andrew still.” Then, another mom said: “I feel ya’, momma. When I hear someone complain about diapers, I laugh at them and tell them my oldest is 21 so I have been changing diapers for 21 straight years now. I haven't done the math though. LOL!" Yet, another mom said: “Well – I’ve been changing diapers since 1977. When my children were out of diapers, I was doing day care in my home. I figure there are worse things in the world than diapers. We’ve got this, my friends!”

That last gal showed up with beautiful sentiments -- not to mention such a positive, grateful outlook. The first mom replied to her “You take the award. I haven’t even been alive that long. No words, but I hope I get your positive outlook with time!“
While that post both touched me with empathy for those precious moms, it rang a bell that I hope we can all hear ringing! No matter how tough life is for us right now – there’s reason for gratitude, because, no doubt, there is always someone who is going through even tougher times. Really, in all times and situations, regardless how tough they are, there is Someone Who gets us and knows what we’re going through – whether it’s a hang-nail or loss of a job or a broken heart or caring for a bedridden loved one.

God’s premier self-description is “the compassionate and gracious God”. (Exodus 34:6) That means that both our pain and our prayers affect him, and He has us on his heart. He takes our burden on Himself and remembers us. As we imitate our Father, we should want to feel the burdens of others, too.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

So, we call, e-mail, post, track down the suffering at their home or church. We have them on our heart, and we want them to know it. So, for all of us on the outside looking in at hurting people, it’s up to us to say something. Do something and remember them. That is the basic idea. In the case of those precious women who were encouraging the first woman with their words at the first of this blog, I encourage you to carry on. You are valiant, loving and non-quitting – YOU ARE OUR HEROES.

Let's Be Pep-Talkers AND Burden-Bearers

Based on my social media newsfeed, I know there are many who are suffering. It's easy to respond to a "sufferer's" FB comment with cliches like: "Praying for you." Or, with scriptures like: "When we are weak, He is strong" or "All things work together for good." Please don't misunderstand me: Those words are true. Pep-talking cliches and scriptures aren't wrong. They're often just not enough.

As someone who has been on the sending AND receiving end of a lot of “let go and let God” and “sometimes God shuts a door and opens a window” pep talks, sometimes it can feel a little lack-luster. Especially if that’s all we’re getting from people. Jesus was great at reading a room. He could spot hurt and doubt and fear and He knew just when someone needed a tangible touch of grace. Jesus offered His presence and comfort, but He also met people’s needs right where they were at. He served them, fed them and healed them.

It’s often easier to promise someone a happy ending than to accompany them on their journey. As our friendships are deepened, new levels of openness can give many opportunities for becoming "soul" brothers and sisters AND being burden-removing friends to them.

Do we bear one another’s burdens well? Or do we spend most of our time trying to convince them that it’s not really that heavy or that they don’t have that much further to carry it? We believe God calls us to a life of dependence on Him, but shouldn't we also believe He calls us to a life of interdependence with each other as the body of Christ?

I've been on the giving and receiving end of burden bearers -- helping take care of children while they recuperate from an illness, helping pack up friends' homes when they're under a crunch to get moved, making meals for funerals, taking food to a caregiver so they don't have to think about cooking on top of all their other responsbilities, taking a friend out to dinner who needs "presence". And, I've been on the receiving end of those who were my burden bearers. I needed to know that God was close. That Jesus wasn’t far removed but instead cared that I couldn’t go grocery shopping without leaving my husband. A God who understood that medical bills and prescriptions are costly and sometimes our bank account didn't stretch far enough. I needed a God who gave me moral and physical support. And God did show up for me through God’s people who lifted us in prayer, who sat with me through the tears, who reached out to say, “How can we help you in this?”

Sometimes we need to do more than just an offer to pray. Not because prayer isn’t powerful or necessary, because it is. But sometimes after we’ve prayed, God is asking us to move. To invest more than our words, to invest our time, our energy, our gifts, and our presence. He’s calling us to get close, not just to Him but to each other. We can be the answer to someone’s prayers. For goodness sake, don't stop being great cheerleaders and pep-talkers, but let's be the tangible touch that shows what Jesus meant when He said: "I'm here with you" and meant it.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Crying Out for "HELP" in a DIY World

“Do It Yourself” is the trend these days – in home remodeling, crafty home décor’, door wreaths, jewelry and so much more. We don’t need anyone else’s help – we can do it ourselves.

DIY applies also to the independence we declare when we are faced with personal challenges and we also want to handle it all by ourselves. We think we don’t need anyone’s help in getting through life. I plead guilty on that as I’ve become quite independent – not wanting to “bother” anyone with my “stuff”. After all, we don't want to add our "stuff" to theirs. But that’s not how God programmed us. He made us to need Him and others.

My post today was inspired by my pastor’s message yesterday. He talked about calling out for HELP. The fact is that we have such a do-it-your-self mindset that we never call out for help. We go to church, sing and praise and pray and ask God for help, but deep inside we could sure use a friend. On the inside we’re crying out for help, but on the outside, we are wearing masks that make us look like we don't have a care in the world.

I love St. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 “I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me.” It sure sounds like he was a DIY-er can of kind of guy, but he always relied on Christ's strength. In verse 14, he also said to the Philippians “It was good of you to share in my troubles.” Obviously he cried out for help to his fellow believers.

My son, Larry, was in Southern California for a leadership summit last week and one gorgeous morning, they all went to the beach. The waves were magnificent, about 8 feet, which made for great surfing – for those who knew how. Larry’s friend, who is in great shape, but is a novice surfer, headed out to surf. The waves were fierce and he began to get pounded and his surf board that had been attached to his ankle by a cord, broke loose and his board got away from him. Usually a surfer’s board acts as a buoy to keep them afloat, but when those waves pounded him every 8 secs, he had only enough time to grab a breath and try to get out of them.

Soon he realized he didn’t have the strength to get out of the waves and he knew he was in trouble. The waves were so loud that he knew those on shore wouldn’t hear him. But, one of the times when he came up, he saw two guys sitting on a nearby pier, drinking coffee, looking down at him. They had no idea he was in trouble. He looked like a professional surfer. Everything seemed normal. They didn’t know he was in chaos. He started thinking he wasn’t going to make it.

Meanwhile, all the guys on the beach were talking and laughing and shooting videos, while he was fighting for his life, as yet another wave came and pounded him. It was then that he began to yell to the two men on the pier “HELP. I’m in trouble. I need help!” And, he yelled again. Immediately those guys heard him, dropped their coffee and ran for help. At that beach, they fire off a siren and all lifeguards come running and they were able to get him and pull him to shore. Thanks be to God!

The point of this post today is to impress upon you, my FB friends, that if you need help today, cry for help – not only to God, but to those closest to you. They don’t know you’re in trouble. They don’t know the chaos you are in. It's time to take off the mask and ask for help. From the beach, Larry’s buddy looked okay. From the pier, he looked like he was having a great time – and everything was alright. But he needed help.

And, there are those around us who need OUR help. It’s time we “loved our neighbor” as ourselves. It’s time we reached out to friends and family and asked the question “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help you? No surface answer accepted. No DIY mentality when it comes to reaching out for help and reaching out to others to help them.

Galatians 6:2 “HELP carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.”